Focus Help Please – T2i/550D

I do not recall how, but I set the Focus Point to only Center AF Point and it only blinks briefly once then returns to black. How do I reset so all 9 AF Points show? When I half-press the shutter button, is there a way to keep the Center focus point, or any focus point, lit as I recompose? If I focus on an eye then move down to the neck V or lower, is there a way to keep the AF point, or all 9 points lit instead of briefly blinking and returning to black?

I am sorry to ask but I did a search here and on Google and did not find a way to change the setting. Is there a quick/easy way to switch between Center Focus and 9-Point focus and keep the AF Point(s) lit?

Thanks for your help,
Gil

One of the two buttons under your thumb will let you select the AF point. Hit the button and rotate the main dial behind the shutter button. If you've half-pressed and are looking through the viewfinder, the selected point(s) will be lit up red.

FrayAdjacent wrote in post #15150581
One of the two buttons under your thumb will let you select the AF point. Hit the button and rotate the main dial behind the shutter button. If you've half-pressed and are looking through the viewfinder, the selected point(s) will be lit up red.

Yes, I know how to select the AF Point but right now when I half press the shutter button ONLY the Center Point is focusing. I need all 9 to focus. This is how my photos come out now:

BUMP

Letting the camera choose the AF point is a great way to get out of focus images. In bright light like that, just pick the AF point closest to your subject. Focus and recompose a little if you have to.

You need to clarify a bit more what your problem is. The sample shots don't help on their own.

It sounds like you no longer want manual AF point selection, so turn it off and let the camera figure out where to focus. Note that the center point is the only cross-type AF point, so it will perform better than the others on low-contrast subjects.

As you scroll through the selectable focus points, "all" will be on of the options. So just keep scrolling through and you should see them all light up at some point.

Press the AF button with your thumb, then press the center "set" button and it will toggle with each "set" button press betweem center point and all 9 point auto select mode.

It will stay illuminated for a few seconds(about 6 I think) or until you press the AF button again.

Be advised that in auto select(all 9 point) mode the camera will choose the nearest object with best contrast to focus on...Maybe what you want, maybe not.

FIRST, THANK EACH of you for your help. I sincerely appreciate the time you have given me.

Now, to clarify the problem.

waterrockets wrote in post #15155283
You need to clarify a bit more what your problem is. The sample shots don't help on their own.

It sounds like you no longer want manual AF point selection, so turn it off and let the camera figure out where to focus. Note that the center point is the only cross-type AF point, so it will perform better than the others on low-contrast subjects.

WatterRockets, my Main problem is I cannot seem to get a focus on ANY photo I take. Since I have it set to Center Point AF, I thought switching to 9-Point AF would help but all of you say Center Point is best for focus. I posted the photos so you could see my focus problem. I will give you the EXIF for each photo. Will that help clarify my focus problem?

FLOWERS:
Camera Model Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Firmware Firmware Version 1.0.9
Shooting Date/Time 10/21/2012 10:26:11 AM
Shooting Mode Shutter-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 400
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm
Image Size 5184x3456
Image Quality Fine
Flash Off
FE lock OFF
White Balance Mode Daylight
AF Mode One-Shot AF
AF area select mode Manual selection
Picture Style Neutral
Sharpness 0
Contrast 0
Saturation 0
Color tone 0
Color Space sRGB
Long exposure noise reduction 0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction 3: Disable
Highlight tone priority 0: Disisable
Auto Lighting Optimizer Disable
Peripheral illumination correction Enable
Dust Delete Data No
File Size 7089KB
Drive Mode Single shooting
Live View Shooting OFF

EXPLORER
Camera Model Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Firmware Firmware Version 1.0.9
Shooting Date/Time 10/21/2012 10:30:34 AM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 400
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm
Image Size 5184x3456
Image Quality Fine
Flash Off
FE lock OFF
White Balance Mode Daylight
AF Mode One-Shot AF
AF area select mode Manual selection
Picture Style Neutral
Sharpness 0
Contrast 0
Saturation 0
Color tone 0
Color Space sRGB
Long exposure noise reduction 0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction 3: Diisable
Highlight tone priority 0: Diisable
Auto Lighting Optimizer Disable
Peripheral illumination correction Enable
Dust Delete Data No
File Size 6433KB
Drive Mode Single shooting
Live View Shooting OFF

That is probably TMI but I cannot seem to focus correctly regardless of the subject.

Thank you for you help. And if this does not tell you what you need to help me cure the dismal focus, please tell me what info you need. Thanks again.

Gil

Hmm. In the flower shot, at f/8, I don't see a focus problem, and the depth of field is huge, so it will be hard to see.

In the SUV shot, it looks to me like the center of the frame (front of truck) is in focus. I'm seeing some compression artifacts in the Ford emblem, but no focus issues at the resolution you've posted.

Can you show us a shot of something close (a few feet away), high contrast, shot with aperture f/3.5 with the zoom all the way back at 18mm? That will help a bit more than the shots you posted.

Also, have a read of this thread and post back in here with any related questions or ideas. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=857871

I don't get it what the problem is that much but if you set the center point to focus, that is the only point that will light up. It won't stay on constant just a quick burst and the beep to confirm that you are locked on to what you are aming at. Turn the dial to select all 9 Points but remember that the camera will pic and choose what points are best for the shot. I have not been able to shoot an image where all 9 points were in focus. Though I only use the center point 99% of the time.

Hope it makes sense good luck

Just looked at the images on my phone and I don't think they so OOF like you say. Is this one of then cases where
"We are our own worst critic"? Lol

Good luck

Oh DEEP POOH

I may have found my problem. In DPP, I am viewing the RAW images AS SHOT: NEUTRAL. They are OOF and at 100% they are blurry.

Picture Style Neutral
Sharpness 0
Contrast 0
Saturation 0
Color tone 0

When I changed SHOT SETTINGS = Daylight and PICTURE STYLE = Standard or Landscape everything turned SHARP and CLEAR.

Gentlemen, if this is my OOF problem I feel about 1/4 of an inch tall, DUMB and a ROYAL A$$ for wasting your time. IF this has been my ONLY focus problem:

I Sincerely apologize for wasting your time. Will you please forgive me for wasting your time and effort?

With Deepest ness and totally ,

Gil Bean

Jason, WR, Pol, and rr,

The instructions on how to change the focus point and that most of the time Center Point is better than 9-Point AF were invaluable. I thank you for those.

Again, I want to humbly beg your forgiveness for my dumbness but EACH of YOU DID HELP ME in another way. I have been fighting this problem since I bought this camera. I was at the point of selling the T2i and giving up on DSLR.

Your kindness and help kept me looking for a solution. I never had this problem with a G series. Because You CARED enough to help me, to make me think, I am ready to begin investing in better glass, more accessories, and spending money I do not have THANKS TO EACH of YOU. I sincerely thank you, from the bottom my empty change jar

Thank Y'all, (seriously)
Gil

ljason8eg wrote in post #15155272
Letting the camera choose the AF point is a great way to get out of focus images. In bright light like that, just pick the AF point closest to your subject. Focus and recompose a little if you have to.

waterrockets wrote in post #15155283
You need to clarify a bit more what your problem is. The sample shots don't help on their own.

It sounds like you no longer want manual AF point selection, so turn it off and let the camera figure out where to focus. Note that the center point is the only cross-type AF point, so it will perform better than the others on low-contrast subjects.

pol024 wrote in post #15155293
As you scroll through the selectable focus points, "all" will be on of the options. So just keep scrolling through and you should see them all light up at some point.

rrblint wrote in post #15155321
Press the AF button with your thumb, then press the center "set" button and it will toggle with each "set" button press betweem center point and all 9 point auto select mode.

It will stay illuminated for a few seconds(about 6 I think) or until you press the AF button again.

Be advised that in auto select(all 9 point) mode the camera will choose the nearest object with best contrast to focus on...Maybe what you want, maybe not.